Word
delete
US/dɪˈɫit/
UK/dɪlˈiːt/
Definitions
01to remove data or text
v. to remove words, files, or pictures from a computer or a document.
v. to remove or erase recorded information, particularly digital data or written text. Transitive — requires a direct object.
“I accidentally deleted the wrong photo from my phone.”
“The system administrator had to delete several redundant files to free up space on the primary server before the update could proceed.”
Usage
Commonly used with digital objects like files, emails, and folders.
02to kill or defeat
v. to kill someone or to completely defeat an opponent in a game.
v. to murder a person or to decisively dominate an opponent in a competitive digital environment.
“The main character was deleted in the final episode of the show.”
“In the high-stakes tournament, the underdog team managed to delete their rivals in a matter of minutes.”
Slang
Teaching tip
This is a metaphorical extension of the computing sense; it is very informal and often found in gaming communities or internet subcultures.
03the keyboard key
n. the specific button on a computer keyboard used to remove text.
n. the physical key on a computer keyboard that removes the character following the cursor or deletes selected objects.
“Press delete to remove the highlighted sentence.”
“On most modern keyboards, the delete key is positioned near the backspace key but performs a distinct function by erasing text from left to right.”
Usage
Often used as a proper noun 'Delete' when referring to the specific label on the key.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“They've since deleted several of their messages to the account.” “Appreciate your interest the story."
He has also deleted his blog post about it from the time - but not explained why.” Etymology
From Latin dēlētus, past participle of dēlēre (“destroy, blot out, efface”), from dēlēvī, originally perf. tense of dēlinere (“to daub, erase by smudging”), from dē- (“from, away”) + linere (“to smear, wipe”). Original sense first appears c. 1495. In common use for ordering the absence of features of products (such as automobiles) in the 1960s. The computing sense, including the noun form, first appears c. 1977 in Software: Practice & Experience. Not related to deleterious. Doublet of delible and deleble.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/delete